BSP Committee

British Society of Perfumers Committee

Virginie Daniau – President

Parfum Parfait

I spent a substantial part of my early career at the leading company in the fragrance and flavour industry. There, I acquired extensive knowledge of the fascinating world of fragrance. I originally trained in science, with an MSc in chemistry. So my debut in the fragrance industry was with the world of research and development – synthesising new molecules and testing polymers. Very soon after, I moved to the creative side of the business where I developed successful fragrances. In 2010, fuelled by entrepreneurial passion, I set up my own business – Parfum Parfait Ltd – where I offer independent fragrance expertise. Since then, I have helped numerous businesses launch the fragrances their brand needed. I am a consultant member of IFRA, President of the British Society of Perfumers and member of the SCS. Today, I am in demand as a corporate consultant, industry expert, and speaker.

David Whitaker – Vice President

Vice President Sales & Marketing, Eternis Fine Chemicals

David currently heads the sales and marketing for Eternis, a family owned global fragrance ingredients manufacturer. He is approaching 30 years in the fragrance industry starting with 6.5 years at Firmenich and later almost 16 years at IFF, all in the fragrance ingredients sector. David’s experience has involved working closely with perfumers, R&D, regulatory, procurement and operations. In David’s career he has worked outside of the UK for two companies and he helped to start up the fragrance ingredients distribution at S Black (Now Azelis). David graduated with a BSc in Chemistry and Management and began his career in the paint industry for ICI working in purchasing and then marketing.

Roger Duprey – General Secretary; Past President

Duprey Definessence Design Ltd

I joined A. Boake Roberts in 1965 as a chemist in the R&D section in Stratford. The company was then merged with JW Bush and Stafford Allen to form Bush Boake Allen. When BBA purchased their first Mass Spectrometer in 1968 I moved to Walthamstow and I worked there till 1992 firstly as a Mass Spectroscopist, then as a Technical Perfumer, then finally as a Research Perfumer. I spent six months in the US with Bush Boake Allen Inc and on my return was made Chief Perfumer Europe; a job I continued until January 1996. I left BBA and in May 1996 to join Quest as a Senior Perfumer specialising in the fabric category and working with the R&D chemists to identify and develop new fragrance ingredients. Following the takeover of Quest by Givaudan in 2007 I worked as a Senior Perfumer based in Ashford but working part time in Argenteuil in the Fabrics section. I retired and set up my consultancy Duprey Definessence Design Ltd. in September 2009 so I could offer clients my expertise as a creative perfumer and offer technical sales support to their customers.

Matthew Williams – Hon. Treasurer; Past President

Business Development Manager, IFF

Matthew Williams is part of the IFF Sales and Marketing team. As the Fragrance Ingredients Business Development Manager he works with perfumers and procurement teams around the world to assist them with fragrance creation and portfolio management. Matthew joined the industry in 2000 within the finance field and moved to the commercial area in 2004. His enthusiasm for fragrances has grown and he now has to confess to being a bit of an addict. In 2009 Matthew proudly became the President of the British Society of Perfumers, a position he thoroughly enjoyed and gained great experience from. Matthew has remained on the BSP council as Honorary Treasurer. Since joining IFF Matthew’s understanding of fragrance ingredients has developed and he regularly presents new and existing materials to perfumers around the world. This underpinned with financial awareness has proven invaluable when working in a business environment.

John Bailey – First Elected Honorary Ambassador; Past President

The Perfumers Guild Ltd

John Bailey’s career started as an apprentice in the laboratories of a manufacturing chemist, druggist & distiller, he also trained as an apothecary dispenser – a decade with Stafford Allen as a technical representative culminated being the executive responsible for merging the perfumery department into Bush Boake Allen. Following a further decade with Naarden International, he initiated with Charlie Beck a creative & perfume compounding operation for RC Treatt & when they reverted to essential oil trading, John founded his niche perfumery & independent consultancy The Perfumers Guild Limited in 1981.

Kate Williams – Immediate Past President

Category Brand Fragrance Manager Hair, Unilever

Creative perfumer, Seven Scent; MSc Evolutionary Psychology, BSc (Hons) Psychology, IFEAT perfumery. For Kate, fragrance is an untapped world of possibilities. With a Masters in psychology, training in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and twelve years industry experience, Kate’s approach to fragrance development is unique – memories and feelings are interwoven in a highly creative process. Kate works globally creating fragrances across all product categories – with specialist expertise in personal wash and laundry – and has achieved significant wins for big brands in Africa, Asia and the UK. Her collaborative way of working inspired Kate to develop a multi-sensory briefing process which Seven adopted as standard practice for every new fragrance project.

Helen Hill – Website and Social Media; Past President

After beginning my career in the Quality Control department at what was then known as Lorien Laboratories, working on analytical testing of raw materials and finished products including skin, sun, hair care and bath care I moved on to the formulation team where I was involved in formulating, product testing, scale-up and fragrance briefing. After 12 years at what was by then Dewhirst Toiletries, I moved companies to the specialist raw material distributor S. Black Limited (now Azelis UK Life Sciences), joining the technical team in 1997 as Technical Assistant supporting our cosmetic and fragrance ingredient business, working with some of the leading fragrance ingredient suppliers in the industry. I became President of the BSP in 2010 and had the honour of co-writing and editing the BSP Anniversary book British Perfumery – A Fragrant History, a highlight of my career so far! Over the last 19 years at Azelis I progressed from Technical Assistant to Senior Technical Manager and now to my recent appointment as Regional Market Manager for Cosmetics Ingredients where I drive our go-to-market strategy together with our Sales and Principal Management team and continue to provide technical support our Fragrance Ingredients and Organic specialities business.

Peter Whipps; Past President

PMW Technical Services

I joined the Aroma Trades industry in 1976 having studied Chemistry at Surrey University during which time I spent a year working at Bush Boake Allen in London. After working for a pharmaceutical company for a year I was offered the role of Fragrance Quality Manager which gave me the opportunity to work with many highly-skilled perfumers, GCMS analysts and research chemists. After 10 years in this position I was promoted to Technical Perfumer working with the Bush Boake Allen Perfumery and Technical teams. During my time at the company I also held the position of New Chemical research Manager developing new materials for both flavour and fragrance use before joining the Essential Oil Group and then finally moving back to Perfumery to assist with the transfer of fragrance products after the IFF takeover in 2001. I set up my own company PMW Technical Services in January 2002, to provide support to fragrance, essential oil and aroma chemical companies.

Pia Long – Scribe

Olfiction Ltd

Although I didn’t realise it at the time, my life in fragrance began at 14 years of age working part-time on a perfume counter in Finland. My writing career started even earlier when I had a story published when I was only nine. These twin passions have shaped my career. I have worked as an in-house junior perfumer for a well-known global cosmetics brand, a technical manager, training manager, independent perfumer, fragrance industry consultant, copywriter and freelance journalist. I joined the BSP committee in 2015 and enjoy helping the society communicate about its activities. I have a monthly column (The Juice – Inside Fragrance) in Perfumer & Flavorist magazine and continue to work as an independent perfumer, sharing my love and enthusiasm for the world of fragrance with peers and clients alike. In 2016, I set up the fragrance industry consultancy Olfiction Ltd with Nick Gilbert. We provide perfumery for air care, fine fragrance and cosmetic product categories; range evaluation, training, consultancy and marketing support to suppliers, distributors, manufacturers and brands.

Charlton Damant

Sales Manager, Fragrance Ingredients, Azelis UK Life Sciences

6 months after completing a 3 year BA (Hons) degree in Business Management at University Campus Suffolk I joined Mercia International Aromatics (which became Aromatic Flavours & Fragrances Europe) and took on the
responsibilities of purchasing for the UK operation. I was at AFF from 2010 to 2015. During that time I progressed to Operations Manager focusing both on purchasing requirements and being part of the company’s management team. Responsibilities included overseeing customer services, credit control and the factory operation. I had the opportunity to work closely with our perfumery team and fragrances quickly became a real passion. I strive to learn more through training and developing knowledge of the industry. In January 2016 I joined Azelis as Sales Manager – Fragrance Ingredients. I am work with perfumers to develop their ingredients portfolio and offer guidance on using newly released molecules.

Peter Malton

Senior Perfumer, Ungerer Ltd

Upon joining P&G in 1992, the early part of my career centred around product development within their skincare category. It was during these formative years that I developed my interest in perfumery which has since become my vocation.
Whilst at P&G I progressed to Fragrance Technology Development within their Fine Fragrance and Beauty Care Divisions. When an opportunity to enter their Creative Perfumery programme was given my interests expanded further where my focus was given to their beauty brands, most specifically Skincare & Haircare.
In 2012 a new challenge emerged with Seven Scent who formed part of the PZ Cussons group. As a Creative Perfumer I enjoyed working across many product categories and geographies as well as collaborating with independent customers outside the group. I currently work for the U.K arm of Ungerer & Company as a Senior Perfumer. Based in Chester (Ungerer Limited) I help support a global network of territories across Europe, MENA, India and China.